NEW YORK (AP) -Petr Nedved’s bid to come back to the NHL after a year playing in Europe ended Friday when the New York Rangers released the 36-year-old forward from his tryout.
Nedved tied for the team lead with two goals and three points in three preseason games this week, but was let go one day before the Rangers were to face New Jersey in their final exhibition contest in North America.
“This is probably it for me as far as the NHL goes,” Nedved said Friday. “Obviously, it gave me an indication that I can still play in this league. I’m happy about that, but I don’t think I’m going to be trying next year.”
The Rangers will fly to Europe on Saturday night to play a pair of exhibition games in Switzerland before taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning twice to open the regular season in the Czech Republic – Nedved’s native country.
ith Sparta Praha in the Czech Republic.
He had a goal in New York’s win over Ottawa on Monday night and added a goal and an assist two days later in the Rangers’ loss at New Jersey.
Nedved’s fate was likely sealed Thursday, when he played for the third time in four nights. He was on the ice for three of Tampa Bay’s four goals – including an empty-netter – and finished minus-2.
Nedved was realistic about his slim chances to restart his NHL career and had already made contingency plans if he didn’t make the Rangers. He is expected to play for his hometown team, Liberec, in the Czech League.
“If it was going to be this decision, there was no point in waiting any longer,” Nedved said.
In two tours with the Rangers, the first for the 1994-95 season and then from 1998-2004, Nedved had 149 goals and 202 assists in 478 games.
Overall, in 15 seasons with six teams, Nedved scored 310 goals and assisted on 407 others in 982 NHL games. He has also played for Vancouver, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Phoenix.
During the 2006-07 season, Nedved had two goals and 10 assists in 40 NHL games with Philadelphia and Edmonton. He also spent time that season with Philadelphia of the AHL.
Saturday’s home game.
Sent down to the minors were: goalie Matt Zaba; defensemen Mike Busto, Vladimir Denisov, Bobby Sanguinetti, and Mike Sauer; and forwards Artem Anisimov, Joe Barnes, Dane Byers, Brodie Dupont, Ryan Hillier, Andreas Jamtin, Greg Moore, Tom Pyatt, Justin Soryal, Dale Weise, and Tomas Zaborsky.
Defensemen Maxim Kondratiev and Thomas Pock, and forwards Hugh Jessiman and P.A. Parenteau will continue training camp with Hartford.
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